Attachment for gas tanks



R. J. ANSCHICKS ATTACHMENT FOR GAS TANKS igj 1935. R. J. ANSCHICKSATTACHMENT FOR GAS TANKS Filed April 18. 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 yifmaa Patented Oct. 22, 1935 2.017.837 ATTACHMENT FOB Gas Tanks Rudolph J.Anschicks, Chicago, 111., assignor to Protectoseal Company of America,Chicago,

111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 18, 1934, Serial No.721,113

s Claims. (01. 220-24 The invention relates to an attachment for gastanks or containers and more particularly it relates to closureattachments for installation in the filler openings or rings of gascontainers or tanks.

The invention is especially adapted for use in automobile gas tanks andhas as one of its objects the provision of improved closure means forthe filler opening thereof which is easily installed and theft-proof andis hingedly connected to the tank to prevent possibility of its loss byinadvertent misplacement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an attachment of thekind described providing an improved closure member permanently attachedto the tank which is easily opened by manual operation for filling thetank and which when open prevents the theft of gas by siphoning or thelike. v

' A further object of the invention is the pro vision of an attachmentof the kind described providing improved means adapted to permit freeflow of gas therethrough in filling the tank unretarded by the outwardflow of air during the filling operation and thereby avoids waste of thegas by splashing.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an attachmentof the kind described providing improved venting means adapted to permitentrance of air into the tank as rapidly as Still another object of theinvention is the provision of a filling and venting attachment for gastanks of the kind described which is simple, adapted to be constructedat low cost, durable, and satisfactory for its intended purpose.

, Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts.

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a device embodying theprinciples of the invention as it appears when closed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the top portion of the device asit appears when open;

Fig. 3 is a view along the line 8-3 of Fig. '1; Fig. 4 is an elevationalview 01' a portion of the device drawn to a smaller scale; and

Fig.5 is a perspective view of another portion of the device.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 9 designates an orifice in atank III, the tank being shown fragmentarily in Fig. 1. A ring ll,surrounding the orifice 9 is provided with a flange I2. 6 The flange I2is fastened to the tank ill by any suitable means suchas soldering,welding or the like to provide a fluid-tight connection. upper end ofthe ring I is intiirned to provide an annular flange l3 terminating in apair of oppo- 10 sitely positioned downwardly projecting verticalflanges 14 having their lower edgesinclined to the horizontal to providecam surfaces for a purpose hereinafter more particularly described. Theflanges M are separated by recesses l5 pro- 15 r vided in the annularflange i3.

The

The ring I 1 thereby forms a permanent por- The inlet conduit comprisesa tube l6 preferably concentric with and of smaller diameter than theorifice 9. The tube It is adapted to receive a filler tube forreplenishing the supply of gas. A spiral spring li, positioned in thelower end and entirely within the tube [6 is fastened to the tube bysoldering or the like. The lower end of the spring I! is conical andprevents the insertion of a'fllling tube or of a siphoning device intothe tank by means of which the gas contents of the tank might be stolen.The pitch of the coils forming the spring I1 is such as to permit gas toflow freely-between the coils. theptube I6 prevent lateral spread of theentering gas and the entrainment of air bubbles therewith which wouldotherwise result.

The side walls of The tube I 6 is suspended from the supporting 40member resting upon the orifice ring H. The supporting member comprisesa ring IQ of larger diameter than the ring II and includes an in. turnedfiange 20 providing an annular corrugation extending entirely around thering. The flange 20 projects inwardly and terminates in a downwardlyprojecting flange 23 having its inner periphery of the same diameter asthe outer periphery of the tube IS. The upper end of the tube l6terminates in a pair of oppositely positioned stems !8 which arefastened to the flange 23 by welding or the like. The spaces between thestems l8 permit air to be evacuated therethrough fromthe tank as rapidlyas it is displaced by the gas during filling of the tank.

The supporting member is fastened to the orifice ring H by a pair ofoppositely positioned slightly resilient detent members 24. The members24 are fastened to stems 212 projecting downwardly from the flange 20through the recesses I 5 in the orifice ring H. The stems 22 are spacedapart from the outer bounding edges of the recesses-l5 sufiiciently topermit the detent members 24 to be wedged through the recesses 'inmounting the supporting member'on the ring I I. The free end of eachmember 24 is positioned to contact with the flange I 3 and therebyprevent removal of the supporting member when seated on the ring II asshown in Fig. 1. An annular gasket 36, wedged between the stems 22 and.the corrugation 2 I, prevents leakage of liquid between the ring I I andthe supporting member.

The upper edge of the ring I9 is turned outwardly to form a rim 25 onwhich a closure member rests when in closed position: The .closuremember comprises a curved plate 26 having a gasket 28 forming a liningfor its lower surface, the lining being fastened to the plate by anysuit able adhesive means. The closure member is permanently'attached tothe tank by a U-shaped member 29 fastened to the ring l9 and a U-shapedmember 30 fastened to the plate 26. The stem portions of the members 29and 30 are connected by pivots 3| to provide a hinge permitting theplate 26 to be moved from closed position as shown in Fig. 1 to openposition as shown in Fig. 2 and vice versa. The described hingedconnection prevents possibility of loss of the closure member by itsremoval for filling or in the event it is jarred loose. The gasket 28rests upon the rim 25 when the closure member is in closed position andeffectively prevents possibility .of waste of gas by splashing when thevehicle carrying the tank is in motion.

The closure member also includes a cap plate 32,-providing ,a cover forthe plate26. The plate 32 is held in spaced apart relation to the plate26 by a pair of projections 33 providing point contact with the plate32. The closure member is held in closed position by a slightlyresilient U- shaped member 34 fastened to the central portion of the capplate 32 by welding or the like as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Thelower ends of the member 34 terminate in outwardly projecting stems 35adapted to enter the respective recesses l5. The cap plate 32 and themember 34 carried thereby are adapted to be rotated relative to theplate 26, such rotation being effective to bring the stems 35 of themember 34 into operative engagement with the cam surfaces in theloweredges of the flanges 14. Obviously, a limited rotation of the capmember in clockwise direction will operatively engage the stems 35 withthe cam'surfaces on the lower edge of flanges I 4. The resiliency of themember 34 including the stems 35 adapts the latter to engage the camsurfaces over their full width and thereby fastens the member againstpossibility of loosening by jarring. The described connection of thestems 35 with the cam surfaces exerts a pull on the member 34 whichholds the gaskets 28 and 36, respectively, in close fitting contact withthe rings l9 and II and effectivelyseals the device against the escapeof gas by splashing. The closure member is opened. by turning the capplate 32 in counter-clockwise direction thereby releasing the stems 35from operative engagement with the flanges l4 and permitting the closuremember to be moved to openposition when the stems underlie therespective recesses l5.

fastening device being adapted to hold said clo- The plate 26 and thegasket 28 are respectively provided with central apertures 31 and 38which permit the rotation of the U-shaped member 34 relative to theplate and gaskets. The recesses 31 and 38 also provide means for ingressof air 5 into the tank as rapidly as the gas is fed to the engine, andthereby avoids possibility of vacuum tending to collapse the tank. Thesize and position of the apertures 31 and 38 is such as to pro- .videthe desired venting, and minimizes the pos- 10 sibility of any gasescaping therethrough as a result of splashing of the tank contents.

Thus, it will be seen, that I have provided an improved attachment forgas tanks or containers which is adapted for permanent mounting upon 15such tanks, which is effective to prevent theft of the apparatus fromthe tank and of gas from the tank, provides a closure member which iseasily manipulated and effectively prevents the possibility of waste ofgas by splashing through the g0 tank orifice and provides venting meanspreventing possibility of vacuum within the, tank.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe g5 spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned. 30

What I claim and desire to cover by Letters Patent, is:

1. Closure apparatus for the filler opening of a tank, said apparatuscomprising a ring permanently fastened to the tank and surrounding 35said opening, a closure device adapted as an attachment for said ring,and means within said ring providing a cam surface, said devicecomprising a member positioned on and forming an extension of the ring,detent means adapted to 40 permanently fasten said member to the ringwhen the member is positioned thereon, a gasket positioned between themember and ring and providing a seat for the member, a hinged plateoperable to close the member, a gasket adapted to rest 45 upon themember and provide aseat-for the plate when in closed position, afastening device projecting through said plate and into operativerelation with said cam surface when the plate is in closed position,said fastening device being ro- 50 tatable to operatively disengage andengage the fastening device with said cam surface, the movement of saidfastening device into operative engagement with said cam surfaceoperating to pull said plate to a close fit on its seat and thereby to55 compress said gaskets.

2. Closure apparatus for the filler opening of a tank, said apparatuscomprising a ring permanently fastened to the tank and surrounding saidopening, a venting and closure device. adapted as 0 an attachment forsaid ring, and means within said ring providing a cam surface, saiddevice comprising a member positioned on and forming an extension of thering, detent means adapted to fasten said member to the ring when themember 65 is positioned thereon, a hinged plate operable to be seatedupon and close said member, a. plate rotatably mounted upon andproviding a cover for said closure plate, and a fastening device mountedupon said cover plate and projecting through 7 saidclosure plate intooperative relation with said cam surface, said fastening device beingmoved by rotation of said cover plate to operatively disengage andengage said cam surface, said amass? sure plate to a close fit on itsseat when said device is in operative engagement with said cam surface.

3. Closure and venting apparatus of the kind described for the filleropening of a tank, said apparatus comprising a ring permanently fastenedto the tank and surrounding said opening, a venting and closure deviceadapted as an attachment for said ring, and means within said ringproviding a cam surface, said device comprising a member positioned onand forming an extension of the ring, detent means adapted to fastensaid member to the ring when the member is positioned thereon, a hingedplate operable to be seated upon and close said member, a platerotatably mounted upon and providing a cover for said closure plate,spacer members adapted to maintain said plates in closely spaced apartrelation, said closure plate providing a vent opening connecting thespace between the plates with the tank opening when the closure plate isseated and a fastening device mounted upon said cover plate andprojecting through said closure plate into operative relation with saidcam surface, said fastening device being moved by rotation of said coverplate to operatively disengage and engage said cam surface, saidfastening device being adapted to hold said closure plate to a close flton its seat when said device is in operative engagement with said camsurface.

4. Closure apparatus of the kind described for the filler opening of atank, said apparatus comprising a ring permanently fastened to the tankand surrounding said opening, a venting and closure-device adapted as anattachment for said ring, and means within said ring providing a camsurface, said device comprising a member positioned on and forming anextension of said ring, detent means adapted to fasten said member tothe ring when positioned thereon, a gasket positioned between the memberand ring and providing a seat for the member, a hinged plate operable toclose the member, a gasket adapted torest upon the member and provide aseat for the plate when in closed position, a plate rotatably mountedupon and providing a cover for said closure plate, and a fasteningdevice mounted upon said cover plate and projecting through said 010-sure plate into operative relation with said cam surface, said fasteningdevice being moved by rotation of said cover plate to operativelydisengage and engage said cam surface, the movement of said fasteningdevice into operative engagement with said cam surface operating to pullsaid closure plate to a close fit on its seat and to compress saidgaskets.

5. Closure and venting apparatus of the kind described for the filleropening of a tank, said apparatus comprising a ring permanently fastenedto the tank and surrounding said opening, a venting and closure deviceadapted as an attachment for said ring, and means within said ringproviding a cam surface, said device comprising a member positioned onand forming an extension of said ring, detent means adapted to fastensaid member to the ring when positioned thereon, a gasket positionedbetween the member and ring and providing a seat for the member, ahinged plate operable to close the member, a gasket adapted to rest uponthe member and provide a seat for the plate when in closed position, aplate rotatably mounted upon and providing a cover for said closureplate, spacer members adapted to maintain said plates in closely spacedapart relation, said closure plate provid- 5 ing a vent openingconnecting the space between said plates with the tank opening when theclosure plate is seated, and a fastening device mounted upon said coverplate and projecting through said closure plate into operative relationwith said cam surface, said fastening device being moved by rotation ofsaid cover plate to operatively disengage and engage said cam surface,the movement of said fastening device into operative engagement withsaid cam surface operating to pull said closure plate to a close flt onits seat and to compress said gaskets.

6. Closure apparatus for the filler opening of a tank comprising ahollow member adapted to be fastened to the tank to form 'a fluid tightconnection therewith and to, provide an enclosure for said opening,means within said hollow member providing a cam surface, a hinged plateoperable to be seated upon and close said member,

a rotatable fastening device mounted on and projecting through saidplate, said device being positioned relative to said cam surface whenthe plate is closed so that it is operatively engaged and disengagedwith said surface by its rotation and when so operatively engaged itholds the plate in close contact with its seat.

I. Closure and venting apparatus for the filleropening of a tankcomprising a hollow member adapted to be fastenedto the tank to form afluid tight connection therewith and to provide 5 an enclosure for saidopening, means within said hollow member having its lower edge providinga cam surface, a hinged plate adapted to be seated on and form a closurefor the hollow member, a memberrotatably mounted upon and pro- 40jecting through the hinged plate into operative relation with said meanswhen the plate is closed,

a, projection on said rotatable member adapted to be operatively engagedand disengaged with said cam surface by rotation of said member and tothereby lock and release said hinged plate.

8, Closure and venting apparatus for the filler opening of a tankcomprising a hollow member adapted to be fastened to the tank to form afluid tight connection therewith and to provide an enclosure for saidopening, means within said, hollow member having its lower edgeproviding a cam surface, a hinged plate adapted to be seated on and forma closure for the hollow member, a member rotatably mounted upon andprojecting through the hinged plate into operative relation with saidmeans when the plate is closed, a projection on'said rotatable memberadapted to be operatively engaged and disengaged with said cam surfaceby rotation of said member and to thereby lock and release said hingedplate, and a plate mounted on the rotatable member providing a cover inclosely spaced relation to the hinged plate, said cover plate beingoperable to actuate said rotatable member, said closure plate providinga vent opening connecting the hollow member with the space between saidplates.

RUDOLPH J. AN SCI-HICKS.

